Automatic core loader

ABSTRACT

An automobile core loader for a plurality of cores comprising a core box, said core box including spatial support means for aligning said cores concentrically to each other and along the longitudinal axis of said core box, a mandrel upon which said cores are to be spatially placed, support and motive means for advancing said core box along the longitudinal axis of said mandrel and concentrically therewith so as to spatially place said cores along the outer surface of said mandrel, and means for supplying cores to said core box, said means for supplying cores while said core box is advancing to said core box comprises a hopper for storing said cores and dispensing said cores, and a chute in communication with said hopper at one end and with said core box at the other end.

[ Mar. 4, 1975 AUTOMATIC CORE LOADER [76] Inventor: James P. Gerhart, 1506 Pheasant Dr., Warminster, Pa. 18974 [22] Filed: June 6, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 367,526

[52] US. Cl 214/1 R, 53/173, 221/251, 242/569, 242/81 [51] llnt. Cl. 1321c 47/28 [58] Field of Search 242/81, 56.9, 79; 198/212; 214/1 R, 1 P, 1 PD, 152, DIG. 1, DIG. 4;

3,690,583 9/1972 Herman 242/81 X Primary E.\'aminerF rank E. Werner Attorney, Agent, or F irm--Denny & Patane [5 7] ABSTRACT An automobile core loader for a plurality of cores comprising a core box, said core box including spatial support means for aligning said cores concentrically to each other and along the longitudinal axis of said core box, a mandrel upon which said cores are to be spatially placed, support and motive means for advancing said core box along the longitudinal axis of said mandrel and concentrically therewith so as to spatially place said cores along the outer surface of said mandrel, and means for supplying cores to said core box, said means for supplying cores while said core box is advancing to said core box comprises a hopper for storing said cores and dispensing said cores, and a chute in communication with said hopper at one end and with said core box at the other end.

18 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEUHAR '4 I915 SHEET 1 0F 9 I 1 AUTOMATIC CORE LOADER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the automatic loading of cores upon mandrels. The so-called mandrels are then placed upon a machine which winds paper (or other material) slit into a tape about the cores.

It is common practice presently to load such mandrels by use of a core box. The core box has an open top and a slotted peripheral internal wall to manually receive an axial array of cores spaced one from another and held in such spaced array by the core box while the mandrel is inserted axially through the aligned cores.

After the mandrel is manually so inserted into the array of cores it is expanded radially to frictionally hold the cores thereto. The so-loaded mandrel may then be manually lifted from the core box and placed upon the machine which is to wind the paper (or other material) upon the cores.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The principal object of this invention is to provide a machine for automatically loading a mandrel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for automatically loading a mandrel faster than it may be loaded manually.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means for automatically supplying high pressure air to the mandrel after it is loaded so as to automatically expahd the mandrel.

Another object of this invention is to automatically transport a mandrel from its storage magazine to the mandrels central supports for loading and after loaded to automatically eject the mandrel from its central position;

The preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a mandrel centrally supported within the machine in alignment with a core box. The core box is automatically advanced toward the mandrel. During the advance of the core box it is loaded with cores supplied from a chute. The cores are held in axially spaced position with each other by the core box. As the core box advances upon the mandrel, the mandrel extends axially through the cores until all of the cores are placed about the mandrel. At such time the mandrel is automatically expanded radially outwardly to frictionally hold the cores upon the mandrel. The mandrel is thereafter removed from its central position and is placed upon the machine for winding paper (or other material) upon the cores.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention, the principles of the invention, and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying such principles will more fully appear from the following description and accompanying drawings in illustration thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a front, elevation view of my new automatic core loader;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the core loader shown in FIG. 1:

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1 showing the chute for the cores;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3 and showing the chute;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 2 and showing the core box after it has ad vanced partially under the mandrel so as to place some cores about the mandrel;

FIGr'7 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 6 and showing the core box further advanced;

FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view showing the core box, the mandrel and the supports for the core box and for the mandrel;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view showing the device for inflating the mandrel;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 10-10 in FIG. 9 and showing the mandrel deflated;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 9, but showing the advanced position of the device for inflating the mandrel;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 11 and similar to FIG. 10, but showing the inflated position of the mandrel;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along the line 13-13 in FIG. 1 and shows the mechanism for automatically placing a mandrel upon the core box and for subsequently ejecting the mandrel from the core box, FIG. 13 showing two mandrels in the magazine therefor and one mandrel about to be transported to its central supports;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13, but showing one mandrel on its central supports;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIGS. 13 and 14, but showing a mandrel being ejected from the core box;

FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view showing the right hand end, as viewed in FIG. 2, and taken along the line 16-16 in FIG. 2, showing the right hand end of the core box and the apparatus for stopping right hand movement of the core box;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but showing the rightmost travel of the core box in the first of two alternate positions;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 16, but showing the rightmost travel of the core box in the second of two alternate positions; and

FIG. 19 is a schematic electrical wiring diagram showing the various electrical elements of this automatic core loader.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the automatic core loader 10 for automatically loading a plurality of cores 12 upon a mandrel 14. The automatic core loader 10 comprises a structural frame 15 carrying a core supply assembly 16 and a core box 18, the cores 12 being automatically delivered to the core box 18 through a chute assembly 20. The core box 18 is automatically, continuously, and smoothly advanced, to the right as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, by a gear and rack arrangement 22 driven by an electric motor 24, the gear and rack arrangement 22 being hereinafter further described.

As the core box 18 advances to the right, as viewed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4,'the cores 12 first drop into it and thereafter enter into slots 26 formed, as best shown in FIG. 8, in the semicircular interior wall 28 of the core box 18. The core box 18 automatically slides and advances, to the right (FIGS. 1, 2, 4i and 8), beneath the When the core box 18 advances to its rightmost posi- 7 tion, shown in FIG. 17, a reflected light control 32 is actuated, and the advance of the core box 18 is stopped by deenergizing the motor 24 of the gear and rack arrangement 22, but the momentum of the core box 18 carries it until a foot 33 (carried by the right-hand end of the core box 18) engages a stop 34 (secured to a plunger 36 of an air operated device 38 which is in turn carried by the frame where it comes to rest, as shown in FIG. 17. The mandrel 14 is shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 to better illustrate some of the other parts. It is understood that in the positions illustrated in FIGS. 16,17 and 18, the mandrel 14 is resting upon the core box 18 and a V-block support 172.

The core supply assembly 16 comprises a hopper 50 suitably secured to the frame 15. The hopper 50 includes a bottom disc 54 rotated in the usual manner by a suitable motor 56 to feed the cores 12, as shown in FIG. 3, through an opening 58 in a peripheral upstanding rim 60 into a spout 61, FIGS. 2 and 4. The disc 54 may be supported on rollers 55 (one of which is shown in FIG. 3) secured to a horizontal plate 57.

Adjacent to the opening 58 (in the rim 60) are vanes 65 and a brush 64 (FIG. 2), the brush 64 being suitably rotated by a motor 66 (FIG. 1) to unscramble the cores 12 as they come adjacent the opening 58, so as to facilitate entry of the cores 12 into the opening 58 and to urge them through the opening 58 and through the spout 61.

The spout 61 communicates with the downwardly extending chute 20, the latter having a funnel-like entrance portion 72, FIGS. 2 and 3, so as to align the cores 12 in single-file fashion. as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The funnel-like chute entrance 72 includes a horizontal chute portion 74 and a curved chute portion 76 leading to a generally vertical chute portion 78 so as to shift the cores 12 from a generally horizontal orientation to a generally vertical orientation in a single file, one above the other, as they descend the chute 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the chute includes a bottom plate 80. Secured to opposite sides of the plate 80 are brackets 106 each having a slot 108 to receive a bolt 110, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, to accommodate cores of different height, the heads of the bolts 110 being sufficiently larger than the width of the slots 108. The forward end portion of the bracket 106 has a groove 112 receiving and holding a cover 114 in spaced relation with the bottom plate 80. Secured to the cover 114 by bolts 115 are spaced rails 116 of a height to accommodate the height of the core 12. The bolts 115 extend through slots 118 (FIG. 3) in the cover 114 to provide for lateral adjustment of the rails to accommodate different diameter cores 12, the heads of the bolts 115 being sufficiently larger than the width of the slots 118.

It has been found preferable to incline the generally vertical chute portion 78 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4, at an angle of between 4 and 5 with the vertical and to terminate the chute, i.e., the plate 80 and the cover 114, above the core box at a distance about equal to the diameter of the cores 12 plus suitable clearance (measured from the bottom of the slots 26). The cores 12 thus descend at a slight angle, but the bottom core, the core entering the core box, tends to drop vertically as it clears the chute. Thus, the top surface of the bottom core is horizontal, while the abutting (bottom) surface of the core above it is at a slight angle. This angle. and the clearance thus created between the core entering the core box 18 and the core just above it, better permits the core which enters the core box to break away'from the core just above it with less friction between the two cores. (When the chute portion 78 was substantially vertical, the friction sometimes caused the bottom core to drag and jam the operation.

Suitably mounted to the structural frame 15 are three further electric motors 84, 86 and 88 which drive three brushes 94, 96 and 98, respectively, as shown. The brush 94 extends through openings in the horizontal portion of the bottom plate (FIG. 4) and the other two brushes 96 and 98 extend through openings in the vertical portion of the bottom plate 80. All three brushes 94, 96 and 98 engage the cores 12 and tend to drive them down the chute 20, one core pressing against the next ahead core.

Further referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the structural frame 15 includes two generally horizontal channels spaced from each other and facing each other, as shown in FIG. 3, and suitably connected together. Connected to the left channel 130 are horizontal structural members 131, one of which is shown in FIG. 3, which support a control box 133, as also shown in FIG. 1. Secured to the channels 130 and the structural members 131 are suitable legs 134.

Extending upwardly from the horizontal structural members 131, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, are vertical structural members which together with horizontal structural members 142 support a control box 133 and also support the hopper 50.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the spout 61 is formed in part by a rim 59, a cover 63 connected thereto (and abutting the cover 114) and the left hand end portion of the bottom plate 80. The disc 54 and the left hand end portion of the bottom plate 80 are in approximately the same plane to facilitate transfer of the cores 12 from the disc 54 to the entry portion ofthe chute 20.

Opposite sides of the bottom plate 80, shown in FIG. 4, are connected at their lower end by braces 144 (one of which is shown in FIG. 4) to opposite sides of the channels 130. The top end of the bottom plate 80 is connected to the rim 60 by suitable fasteners, not shown.

The gear and rack arrangement 22, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes a drive gear driven by motor 24 through a suitable shaft supported in spaced plates 151 which are connected to the channels 130 and depend therefrom. The gear 150 in turn drives a gear 152 journalled in the plates 151. The driven gear 152 actuates the rack 154. The rack 154 is suitably secured to the bottom ofa plate 156 upon which the core box 18 is mounted and the rack 154 extends along the length thereof, as shown.

The core box 18 is suitably secured to the plate 156 for joint movement along the channels 130, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. The plate 156.has end flanges 158 which carry rollers 160 for movement along shoulders 161 (FIG. 8) formed on the upper, horizontal surfaces of the channels 130. Guide rails 162 are secured to the channels 130, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, to guide and restrain the end flanges 158.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, when the mandrel 14 is placed in position to receive the cores 12, the shaft 170 at the right hand end of the mandrel 14 is placed in a V-block support 172 carried near the right ends of the channels 130. The mandrel 14 is also supported intermediate its ends upon a pair of spaced rollers 174, i.e., parts of the outer cylindrical surface 30 of the mandrel 14 rests on the rollers 174. The V-block 172 and the rollers 174 are centrally aligned so that when the mandrel 14 is placed upon them, the longitudinal axis thereof will be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the core box 18, as shown.

The rollers 174 are carried on a shaft supported by an adjustable upstanding arm 176. The arm 176 is piv otally connected to a block 178 secured at its ends to the channels 130, but the arm 176 is biased to its vertical position (the position to support the mandrel 14) by a tension spring 180 having one end secured to the arm 176 and another end to the frame 15. Movement of the arm 176 under pressure of the spring 180 is restrained by a stop shaft 182 secured to the block 178.

During operation of this automatic core loader, the driven gear 152 drives the rack 154 and the plate 156 to the right, as viewed in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, until the forward (or left hand end) of the mandrel 14 enters the cores 12 at the right hand end of the core box 18 through the open right hand end thereof. As the core box 18 advances to the right, the cores 12 are carried along the outer cylindrical surface 30 of the mandrel 14 to the right, compare FIGS. 6 and 7, the cores 12 and inner surface 28 (of the core box 18)'sliding past the mandrel 14, the mandrel surface 30 being supported upon the inner surface 28 and the cores 12 at this time until the forward part of the mandrel extends through the left hand end of the core box 18, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11.

Eventually the foot 33 at the right hand end of the plate 156 depresses the vertical pin 184 which extends through a suitable guide hole in the block 178. The lower end of the pin 184 is forked and rests upon a generally horizontal pivotal latch rod 186, pivotally connected to member 185 depending from the block 178. A weight 187 biases the rod 186 toward the pin 184, as shown. When the foot 33 depresses the pin 184 it in turn pivots the rod 186 to the position shown in FIG. 7, releasing the arm 176 and permitting the latter to pivot to the illustrated position also. At this time the rollers 174 are pivoted and lowered out of supporting relation with the mandrel 14 (which is now supported by the core box 18) and the rollers 174 are thus moved out of the path of the advancing core box 18.

After the mandrel 14 is loaded with cores 12, the mandrel 14 is removed from the core box 18, and the core box 18 is returned by the gear and rack arrangement 22 to the left hand end of the automatic core loader. At such time the arm 176 is returned to its vertical position, i.e., it returns to the position shown in FIG. 6 from the position shown in FIG. 7.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 11, the plate 156 (to which the core box 18 is attached) has a platform 200 which extends to the left and supports a high pressure air injection apparatus 202 on a box-like support 203 secured to the platform 200. The air injection apparatus comprises a tube 204 connected at its left hand end to a suitable source of high pressure air. The tube 204 extends through a piston 206 in a cylinder 208. The piston 206 is biased to the left hand end of the cylinder by a spring 210. The right hand end ofthe tube 204 carries an air injection nozzle 212. Connected to the left hand end of the cylinder 208, behind the piston 206, is a pipe 214 also connected to source of suitable air pressure.

Normally, no high pressure air is supplied to the cylinder 208 and the spring 210 biases the tube 204 and nozzle 212 to the position shown in FIG. 9. After the mandrel 14 is fully loaded with cores 12, high pressure air is automatically supplied to the cylinder 208 through pipe 214 causing the piston 206 to move to the right, compressing the spring 210., and moving the nozzle 212 into abutment with and 1111 communication with the valve 216 carried at the left hand end of the mandrel 14. Abutment of the nozzle 212 with the valve 216 causes the latter to open and high pressure air from within the tube 204 flows at such time within an expandable boot 220, FIGS. 10 and 12. The valve 216 is secured to the boot 220 at the left hand end ofthe boot 220, as viewed in FIGS. 9 and 11, and the right hand end (not shown) of the boot 220 is closed. The boot 220 is carried within the mandrel 14 and when radially expanded causes the mandrel 14 to expand, as hereinafter described.

The mandrel 14 further includes three arcuate segments 222 disposed in an annular array about the boot 220, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12. The segments 222 are restrained in such array by two end caps 224, one at eigher end ofthe mandrel 14, as shown in FIG. 2 and in FIGS. 9, 11, 16 and 17. The end caps 224 are secured to one of the three segments 222 but not to the other two segments so as to permit: relative radially outward movement of the segments as the boot 220 expands. Thus, when the boot 220 expands due to the high pressure air within it, it places radially outward forces on the segments 222 causing the sements 222 to move against the inner circular surface of the cores 12 and create a radially outward pressure on the cores 1,2. The end caps 224 are sufficiently loose relative to the segments 222 to permit sufficient radially outward movement of the segments 222, compare FIGS. 10 and 12.

Thus, when the mandrel 14 is removed from the core box 18 with the cores l2 loaded upon the outer cylindrical surface 30 of the mandrel 14, the pressure outwardly on the segments 222 is sufficient to hold the cores 12 in proper spaced relation to each other against any jarring or other forces that may be imposed on the cores 12 and the mandrel 14 while it is removed from this machine and transported to the machine where the cores 12 are to have paper (or other material) wound about them and also during the winding operation.

In FIG. 16, the core box 18 is shown approaching the right hand end of this machine near the end of the core loading operation. When the right hand leading edge of the core box 18 intercepts a light beam emanating from the light reflective control element 32 an electrical signal is generated which stops the motor 24 of the gear and rack arrangement 22. The motor 24 is of the type having an internal brake and tends to stop abruptly when signalled to do so, but the momentum of the core box 18 and plate 156 assembly tends to carry it forward until it is stopped by the stop 34. The signal from the light reflective control element 32 also signals the control circuit to the clamp 230 which energizes the air motor 232 from a suitable source of high pressure air.

The clamp 230 includes a bearing plate 236 connected to the cylinder 238 of the air motor 232 by a shaft 240. When the air motor 232 is supplied with suitable air pressure the shaft 240 raises, lifting the bearing plate 236 against the rack 154, placing an upward force upon the'rack 154 (but lifting of the plate 156 is prevented by the guide rails 162, shown in FIGS. 3 and 8). The pressure so placed upon the rack 154 by the clamp 230 holds the assembly comprising the plate 156 and core box 18 steady against the reactive force created when the nozzle 212 moves against the valve 216.

Successive mandrels 14 which are loaded with cores 12 are preferably loaded so that the cores 12 are placed on the length of the mandrel in alternating position. That is, the space on one mandrel 14 which corresponds to the space left blank on the previous mandrel is the space on which it is desired to place the cores on the succeeding mandrel to be loaded. To accomplish this alternating placement of cores upon the lengths of the mandrels, the stop 34 is lowered by the air motor 38, out of the way of the foot 33, permitting the core box 18 plate 156 assembly to move further to the right, compare FIGS. 17 and 18, until the foot 33 abuts the fixed stop 245.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 13, 14 and 15, a transport and ejection device 300 is shown for transporting a mandrel 14 after it is released from a magazine 302 to its central position upon the rollers 174 and V-block support 172 (FIG. 8). The transport device 300 includes a drive mechanism 301 (FIG. 1) and two driven linkages'303 (FIG. 1) one at each end of the mandrels 14.

The magazine 302 includes a table 304 inclined downwardly and toward the rollers 174, as shown in FIG. 13, the leading mandrel 14 being stopped from rolling forward by a finger 306. The finger 306 is controlled by a solenoid 308 which is energized to lower the finger 306 out of the way ofthe lead mandrel 14 when appropriate.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the drive mechanism 301 includes an electrical motor 310 connected to a gear box 312 and sprocket 314 to drive a chain 316. The motor 310 and gear box 312 may be suspended from the left channel 130, as shown. The chain 316 is connected to a further sprocket 318 carried by a shaft 320. The shaft 320 extends along one of the channels 130, FIG. 1, below the table 304 of the magazine 302, the shaft 320 being supported by suitable bearings 322, FIG. 1, secured to one of the channels 130.

Referring back to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, the two driven linkages 303 are generally the same and are disposed at opposite ends of the shaft 320. Only one of the linkages 303 is hereinafter described (for brevity) it being understood that the other is similar.

Each driven linkage 303 includes a sprocket (not shown, but carried at opposite ends of the shaft 320) to drive a further chain 328. The chain 328 extends to another sprocket 330 carried by a shaft 332 supported by a bearing 334 depending from the underside of a bracket 336 secured to the left channel 130, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15.

Secured to the upper length of the chain 328 and movable thereby is a carrier 340 which is suitably guided along the bracket 336. Extending to the right from the carrier 340, as shown in FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, and pivotally connected thereto, is the transport and ejection link 350. The forward end of the link 350 rests upon a roller 352 carried by a shaft 354 which extends from an upstanding plate 356 which is in turn fixed to the left channel 130. A nylon insert 355 forms the forward, upper part of a nose 362 of the link 350, the

8 nylon helping to cushion the jar upon engagement of the link with the shaft 170.

When the rollers 174 and V-block 172 are ready to receive a mandrel 14, the finger 306 is lowered permitting the lead mandrel 14 in the magazine 302 to roll forward, to the right in FIG. 13, the end shafts rolling upon the links 350 to a clevis 360 formed by the angled upper portion 361 of the plate 356 and the angled nose portion 362 of the link 350 until the end shafts 170 (of mandrel 14) nestle within this so formed clevis 360. A so-called mandrel is shown in FIG. 13 in dot-dash lines.

When the motor 310 is energized, the chains 316 and 328 are driven, causing the carrier 340 and the link 350 to move to the right a short stroke, from the position shown in FIG. 13 to the position shown in FIG. 14. In so moving, the forward portion of the link 350 rides up on the roller 352 and in so doing the nose portion carries the mandrel 14 up above the plate 356 whereupon the mandrel shafts 170 roll off the links 350 and roll onto the V-block 172 and the rollers 174, FIG. 14. The motor 310 is then reversed and the chain 328 reverses direction, carrying the carrier 340 and the link 350 from the position of FIG. 14 back to the position shown in FIG. 13.

When it is desired to eject a mandrel 14 from the core box 18, the motor 310 is energized and the carrier 340 and the link 350 move through a long stroke to the right and up, i.e., from the position of FIG. 13 to the position of FIG. 15. In so doing, the nose portions 362 of the links 350 forcefully contact the ends shafts 170 lifting and kicking the mandrel 14 out of the core box 18 to the position shown in FIG. 15. The kick on the mandrel 14 is enough to carry it over the top of the core box 18 and onto the table 370 which slants back toward a backer 372 to hold the mandrel 14 prior to its being placed on the winding machine.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a plunger 400 extends through a suitable hole in the plate to restrain the lowermost core 12. The plunger 400 extends from and is actuated by an electrical solenoid 402, the solenoid 402 being secured to the plate 80 as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 19, a schematic electrical wiring diagarm of the various control elements for the automatic core loader 10 is shown. FIG. 19 corresponds to the position of the automatic core loader 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

That is, the power supply switch 500 is closed and the circuit is connected to a suitable source of alternating current. During retraction of the core box 18 (to the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the left hand part (as viewed in FIG. 2) of the retracting core box 18 actuates I a switch 502 which closes (and keeps closed) the circuit to the brush motors 84, 86 and 88 and to the solenoid 402 for the core stop plunger 400. Also, when the core box 18 retracts sufficiently, to the left, it momentarily closes a normally open switch 504. Momentary closing of switch 504 energizes the motor 310 and the link 350 moves to the right, as viewed in FIG. 13, placing a mandrel upon its supports, i.e., the rollers 174 and the V-block 172, since at this time, the core box 18 has retracted sufficiently to the left, as viewed in FIG. 2.

Simultaneously, as the mandrel 14 is placed on the V-block support 172, it rolls over and momentarily closes a normally open switch 506 extending through the V-block support 172, see FIG. 8. When the control circuit is in its automatic position, i.e., when automatic control switch 508 is closed, the momentary closing of switch 506 starts the core box forward, moving to the right as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2, after a sufficient time delay of approximately I to 2 seconds.

During this time delay period, the core box 18 completes its travel to the left and closes the switch 5100. (The switch 510a operates simultaneously with switch 5101: and is a single pole, double throw switch which controls two circuits as hereinafter discussed.) Actuation of the switch 510a opens the circuit to the (core box driving) motor 24 by opening the circuit to the reverse control relay 512 and simultaneously actuating the brake 513, FIG. 3.

The brake 513, as seen in FIG. 3, comprises a movable disc 515 which engages a stationary disc 517 when it is desired to stop the motor 24. The stationary disc 517 is secured to the gear box frame 519 by a suitable arm 521. Closing of the switch 510 also closes the circuit to the impulse relay 514 illuminating either the amber bulb 516 or the green bulb 518 and also actuating the electric air valve 520 to energize the air ram 523 moving the reflected light control 32 to its alternate position.

It is understood that in the initial run, i.e., when the machine is first started, that the power switch 500 must be manually closed and the momentary switch 522 must be pushed closed. Closing of the switch 522 energizes the forward control relay 524, energizes the motor 24 in its forward run position at a selected speed determined by potentiameters 526 (for the forward speed, i.e., to the right in FIG. 2) and 528 (for the rearward speed, i.e., to the left in FIG. 2).

Energization of the relay 524 energizes the motors 84, 86 and 88 (of the brushes 94, 96 and 98) and also deenergizes the solenoid 402 permitting the spring loaded plunger 400 to retract out of the path of the descending cores 12.

Thus, at this time the brushes 94, 96 and 98 are driving the cores 12 down and the core box 18 is moving to the right, the cores l2 dropping into the slots under pressure of the cores ahead, as shown in FIG. 6. If a core 12 should not be placed in a slot 26 (FIG. 8) for some reason. switch 530 (FIG. 3) will open, breaking the circuit to the motor 24, and stopping the advance of the core box 18. A core 12 may be manually placed into the empty slot 26 of the core box 18 at such time, and this manual placement ofthe core 12 will close the switch 530, restarting the motor 24. If desired, an audible alarm or alarm light (not shown) could also be energized from switch 530.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, as the core box 18 moves to the right, it moves toward the position of FIG. 7, the forward (or right hand) part of the core box 18 depressing the pin 184 and releasing the vertical arm 176. Upon the release of the vertical arm 176, the forward part of the core box 18 pushes the rollers 174 to the right, as shown, pivoting them down out of the path of the advancing core box 18. It will be noted that by the time the rollers 174 are pushed aside, a substantial length of the mandrel 14 is supported by the core box 18.

The forward (or right hand) end of the core box 18 eventually intercepts the light beam emanating from the reflected light control 32, FIGS. 16 and 17. This interception deactivates the forward relay 524, deenergizes the motor 24, and activates the electric brake 513 of motor 24. (When either the relay 512 or the relay 524 is deactivated, the control circuit [not shown] to the motor 24 is opened and the circuit of the brake 513 is energized.) Also, at this time the air valve 540 is energized to supply air to cylinder 238 which moves the bearing plate 236 against the rack 154. Simultaneously, the air valve 542 is energized to supply air to the cylin der 208 ofthe air injection apparatus 202, FIG. 9, while also supplying air to the tube 204. The nozzle 212 is carried, at this time, against the valve 216, supplying air to the inside of the boot 220 and expanding the mandrel 14 as previously described.

When the internal pressure within the boot 220 reaches a predetermined level, a preset pressure switch (not shown) connected to the tube 204 actuates an electrical limit switch (not shown) to deactivate electrical valve 542 permitting the tube 204 to retract.

Switch 546 (FIG. 9) is carried by the air injection apparatus 202 is normally held closed, to close the circuit to the mandrel transport device motor 310. When the tube 204 advances to the right, FIG. 9, a collar 527 on the tube 204 moves to the right also, permitting the switch 546 to open. Opening of the switch 546 opens the circuit to the transport device motor 310, insuring that the link 350 will not be moved (by the motor 310) into interfering engagement with the nozzle 212. When the tube 204 retracts to the position shown in FIG. 9, the collar 527 depresses the switch 546, closing the switch 546 and at this time the circuit to the motor 310 is energized, actuating the motor 310 of the transport device 300.

A time delay device 548 is interposed between the motor 310 and the switch 546 as shown in FIG. 19. The time delay device 548 starts timing as soon as the core box 18 intercepts the electric reflected light central32. The time delay device 548 keeps the circuit between the motor 310 and the switch 546 open at such time, permitting the tube 204 to travel to the right, FIGS. 9 and 11, and to inject air into the mandrel 14 and to travel back to its initial position before the transport device motor 310 is energized.

Since the storage table 370 has a capacity for only two mandrels, a third mandrel should not be lifted onto the table 370 if two mandrels are still on the table 370. To avoid trying to push a third mandrel on to the table 370 when two are still on it, a switch 550 extends through the table 370, and is depressed by the second mandrel. When switch 550 is depressed, it opens the circuit to the motor 310 and does not permit its energization until one of the mandrels is removed from the table.

Electric air valve 520 also supplies air to air piston 308, retracting finger 306 at such time from the lead mandrel in the supply magazine and permitting the lead mandrel 14 to roll (by gravity) down upon the link 350.

The cycle ends with the core box 18 in its right most position and the mandrel loaded. At this time, the operator depresses the momentary switch 554, energizing the reverse control relay 512, whereupon the motor 24 reverses its direction of rotation and transports the empty core box 18 to the left, to the retracted position shown in FIG. 2.

The power control switch 560 is closed to energize the motors 56 and 66 of the disc 54 and unscrambling brush 64, respectively. Preferably a speed control potentiameter 562 controls the speed of motor 56.

The switch 564 is normally closed. If it is desired to run the machine without energizing the motor 310, the switch 564 is manually opened.

Also, momentary switch 566 may be closed to run the motor 310 independently of its control circuit.

The switch 570 which is normally open is closed momentarily when it is desired to energize the air valve 520 and to illuminate the alternate light 516 or 518. Such energization of air valve 520 moves the reflected light control 32 to its alternate position (upon closing of switch 570).

Momentary push button 600, if closed momentarily, will close the circuit to either the forward relay 524 or the reverse relay 512 deenergizing the circuit to the motor 24, stopping the travel of the core box 18 and activating the brake 513 of motor 24 at the same time.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and I4 and to the circuit diagram of FIG. 19, a left hand limit switch 700 is normally held open by the rear end of the link 350 when the link 350 is in its rightmost position, FIG. 13. The

link 350 advances to the right from the position of FIG.

13 toward the position of FIG. 14 (its short stroke), because the circuit is closed through a timer 701 and a forward relay 702 (FIG. 19') and another (right hand) limit switch 708 to the motor 310. (Note that at this time the air injector switch 546, the time delay device fi;an dth e switch 550 [of the receiving; tablei370] are; all closed. Inmof the machine fthe timer 701 of the forward relay 702 is started by manually tripping the switch 504.)

At the end of a time delay (about 1% seconds), the link 350 has been carried to the position of FIG. 14, whereupon the mandrel 14 rolls to itscentral position upon the rollers I74 and the V-block 172. At the end of this time delay period, the timer 701 which is part of forward relay 702 deenergizes relay 702 and simultaneously energizes the reverse relay 704. The motor 310 is now reversed and the link 350 is returned to the position of FIG. 13, whereupon the limit switch 700 is reopened, opening the circuit to motor 310.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 15 and the circuit diagram of FIG. 19, the long stroke of the link 350 takes place when it is desired to eject the mandrel from the core box 18. At such time, the right hand limit switch 708 is closed and the forward control relay 524 closes the time delay device 548 to complete the circuit through switches 546 and 550, thereby energizing the motor 310. The time delay device 548 has a built-in timer which keeps the circuit open initially for about 1 to 2 seconds. During this time delay period, the collar 527 (on the air tube 204) moves to the right (permitting the air nozzle 212 to inject air into the mandrel) and at this time the switch 546 is opened. During the time to fill the mandrel 14 with sufficient air, the time delay device 548 times out, closing the circuit of the time delay device 548 (but the switch 546 is still open). When the nozzle 212 returns to its initial position collar 527 closes switch 546, and at such time the circuit to the motor 310 is completed through the switches 546, 550 and 708 and through time delay device 548. Rotation of motor 310 drives the chains 316 and 328 to carry the link 350 from the position of FIG. 13 to the position of FIG. 15.

Once the link 350 starts moving to the right, the

switch 700 closes. When the link 350 moves to its rightmost position, shown in FIG. 15, it opens switch 708 deenergizing the forward relay 702. However, a timer 710 in the circuit of switch 700 provides a time delay keeping the circuit to the reverse relay 704 open until the link 350 reaches its rightmost position and opens the switch 708. After the timer 710 times in, the circuit is closed to the reverse relay 704, whereupon the motor 310 carries the link 350 back to its initial position of FIG. 13, opening switch 700 and deenergizing the 5 motor 310.

Certain of the various relays etc. shown in FIG. 19 are powered by a DC power supply, as shown in FIG. 19.

Also, it is desirable to include a pilot light 750, as shown in FIG. 19, to indicate that the circuit is energized.

Note that the air valve 520 simultaneously controls the air motor 523 for the reflected light control 32, the air motor 38 for the stop 34, and the air motor 308 of the finger 306.

It should also be noted that in the initial run of the machine, the operator has the option of manually placing the first mandrel 14 on the rollers 174 and V-block 172 or of manually closing switch 504 at which time the link 350 will transport a mandrel 14 from the clevis 360 onto the rollers 174 and V-block 172.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the air ram (motor) device 523 may include a guide means 525 for moving the light control 32 back and forth as illustrated by the double headed arrow in FIG. 16.

What I claim is:

1. An automatic core loader for a plurality of cores comprising a core box,

said core box including spatial support means for aligning said cores concentrically to each other and along the longitudinal axis of said core box,

a mandrel upon which said cores are to be spatially placed,

support and motive means for advancing said core box along the longitudinal axis of said mandrel-and concentrically therewith so as to spatially place said cores along the outer surface of said mandrel, and

means for supplying cores to said core box, said means for supplying cores while said core box is advancing to said core box comprises a hopper for storing said cores and dispensing said .cores, and

a chute in communication with'said hopper at on end and with said core box at the other end.

2. The structure recited in claim 1 and further includmotive means for advancing said core box along the longitudinal axis of said mandrel.

3. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said mandrel includes radially outward movable segments for frictionally retaining said cores upon the outer surface of said mandrel.

4. The structure recited in claim 3 wherein said mandrel further includes an expansible boot radially inwardly of said segments for moving said segments radially outwardly when said boot is expanded.

5. The structure recited in claim 4 wherein said boot includes a valve for admitting and retaining high pressure air within said boot, and

further including high pressure air supply means engageable with said valve after said mandrel is loaded with said cores.

6. The structure recited in claim and further includa bracket at the right handmost end portion of said mandrel to support the latter while the left handmost end portion of said mandrel slidably rests on said core box.

7. The structure recited in claim 4 and further including mandrel motive means for placing said mandrel upon said core box and said bracket and removing said mandrel therefrom after cores have been placed in said slots.

8. The structure recited in claim 4 and further including sensing means to determine the position of said core box relative to said chute, and

plunger means carried by said chute actuated by said sensing means when said core box is not in a position to receive cores.

9. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said core box is movable along one plane,

and said chute extends transverse to said plane at an included angle of less than 90 measured from the direction in which said box is headed.

10. The structure recited in claim 1 and further including a magazine for said mandrel,

a link for receiving said mandrel,

support means for receiving said mandrel, and

motive means for moving said link to a first position to transport said mandrel upon said support means.

11. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said motive means is movable to a second position for removing said mandrel from said support means.

12. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said mandrel includes an inflatable boot having a valve,

a nozzle movable on predetermined conditions into and out of engagement with said valve. a tube connected to said nozzle and to a source of high pressure air. and

piston means connected to said tube for moving said nozzle into and out of engagement with said valve.

13. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein successive mandrels are loaded with cores in alternate positions, and further including switch means actuated by the position of said mandrel along the length of said machine, and

motive means positioning said switch means in one of two positions alternately in successive cycles of said machine.

14. The structure recited in claim 1 and further including drive means for moving said core box means to a position under said mandrel and out from thereunder, motor means for actuating said drive means, and switch means for energizing said motor means to move said core means under said mandrel and to move said core box means but from under said mandrel.

15. The combination recited in claim 14 and further including second switch means and further means responsive to said second switch means for moving said core box means to alternate first and second positions relative to said mandrel on successive operations.

16. The combination recited in claim 15 and further including second motor means for transporting said mandrel into alignment with said core box means and for ejecting said mandrel therefrom after it is loaded with cores.

17. An automatic core loader for a plurality of cores comprising a mandrel,

movable support means for said mandrel,

a core box movable toward and away from said movable support means, chute means for supplying cores to said core box, motive means for moving said core box toward and away from said movable support means, and

sensing means responsive to the position of said core box, locking means for said movable support, whereby upon unlocking of said locking means in response to said sensing means said core box is substituted for said movable support means.

18. The structure recited in claim 17 wherein said movable support means carries said mandrel in one plane,

said chute means extends at approximately a right angle to said plane and delivers said cores at an inclined angle relative to the plane of movement of said support means. 

1. An automatic core loader for a plurality of cores comprising a core box, said core box including spatial support means for aligning said cores concentrically to each other and along the longitudinal axis of said core box, a mandrel upon which said cores are to be spatially placed, support and motive means for advancing said core box along the longitudinal axis of said mandrel and concentrically therewith so as to spatially place said cores along the outer surface of said mandrel, and means for supplying cores to said core box, said means for supplying cores while said core box is advancing to said core box comprises a hopper for storing said cores and dispensing said cores, and a chute in communication with said hopper at one end and with said core box at the other end.
 2. The structure recited in claim 1 and further including motive means for advancing said core box along the longitudinal axis of said mandrel.
 3. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said mandrel includes radially outward movable segments for frictionally retaining said cores upon the outer surface of said mandrel.
 4. The structure recited in claim 3 wherein said mandrel further includes an expansible boot radially inwardly of said segments for moving said segments radially outwardly when said boot is expanded.
 5. The structure recited in claim 4 wherein said boot includes a valve for admitting and retaining high pressure air within said boot, and further including high pressure air supply means engageable with said valve after said mandrel is loaded with said cores.
 6. The structure recited in claim 5 and further including a bracket at the right handmost end portion of said mandrel to support the latter while the left handmost end portion of said mandrel slidably rests on said core box.
 7. The structure recited in claim 4 and further including mandrel motive means for placing said mandrel upon said core box and said bracket and removing said mandrel therefrom after cores have been placed in said slots.
 8. The structure recited in claim 4 and further including sensing means to determine the position of said core box relative to said chute, and plunger means carried by said chute actuated by said sensing means when said core box is not in a position to receive cores.
 9. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said core box is movable along one plane, and said chute extends transverse to said plane at an included angle of less than 90* measured from the direction in which said box is headed.
 10. The structure recited in claim 1 and further including a magazine for said mandrel, a link for receiving said mandrel, support means for receiving said mandrel, and motive means for moving said link to a first position to transport said mandrel upon said support means.
 11. The structure recited in claim 2 wherein said motive means is movable to a second position for removing said mandrel from said support means.
 12. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said mandrel includes an inflatable boot having a valve, a nozzle movable on predetermined conditions into and out of engagement with said valve, a tube connected to said nozzle and to a source of high pressure air, and piston means connected to said tube for moving said nozzle into and out of engagement with said valve.
 13. The structure reciTed in claim 1 wherein successive mandrels are loaded with cores in alternate positions, and further including switch means actuated by the position of said mandrel along the length of said machine, and motive means positioning said switch means in one of two positions alternately in successive cycles of said machine.
 14. The structure recited in claim 1 and further including drive means for moving said core box means to a position under said mandrel and out from thereunder, motor means for actuating said drive means, and switch means for energizing said motor means to move said core means under said mandrel and to move said core box means out from under said mandrel.
 15. The combination recited in claim 14 and further including second switch means and further means responsive to said second switch means for moving said core box means to alternate first and second positions relative to said mandrel on successive operations.
 16. The combination recited in claim 15 and further including second motor means for transporting said mandrel into alignment with said core box means and for ejecting said mandrel therefrom after it is loaded with cores.
 17. An automatic core loader for a plurality of cores comprising a mandrel, movable support means for said mandrel, a core box movable toward and away from said movable support means, chute means for supplying cores to said core box, motive means for moving said core box toward and away from said movable support means, and sensing means responsive to the position of said core box, locking means for said movable support, whereby upon unlocking of said locking means in response to said sensing means said core box is substituted for said movable support means.
 18. The structure recited in claim 17 wherein said movable support means carries said mandrel in one plane, said chute means extends at approximately a right angle to said plane and delivers said cores at an inclined angle relative to the plane of movement of said support means. 